Leftover Flying

Happy Birthday, Michael

2011-11-20T10:21:00.001-08:00

100,000 Poets for Change, September 24th, 2011

2011-09-09T07:43:00.000-07:00

Michael Rothenberg and Terri Carrion of Big Bridge have spearheaded a global event that will take place on September 24th. Here's a link to events taking place in over 450 countries and 600 cities.

Here are ways to get involved in the Twin Cities:

The Guerilla Haiku Movement is on a mission to cover Minneapolis in poetry, as part of 100000 Poets for Change, and you're invited. If you've got the verse, we'll have the chalk. Once equipped, you can scribble sidewalk rhymes at your leisure or set off on an optional scavenger hunt to help find new canvases and bring passers-by in on the fun. Organizer Caley Vickerman started by asking people to write haikus to one another, first in theater exercises, then on the streets of New York City. The movement has since blossomed into a seven-city fall tour, with hundreds of on-the-street poets ready to pounce — and Minneapolis is the sixth stop. Haiku of all themes and lettering of all forms are welcome, so seek out your spot and let those syllables fly. (Philadelphia City Paper)
When: September 24th: 2pm-6pm

Where: Spitting Turtle Fountain @ Lake Harriet Rose Gardens (Meeting Place- then we head out in teams all over the city- contact the Haiku Mistress if you miss the meeting point: 917.715.5976)

Why: For the pure joy of it. Because we are all full of poetry.

Pictures will be shared here and at http://www.guerillahaikumovement.com/

2. 350.0rg is planning a rally on the capitol steps. The organizers are seeking out poets to participate!

Moving Planet Rally: “A Day to Move Beyond Fossil Fuels”

Saturday 24 September, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. (estimated)

Be part of a world-wide rally calling for dramatic reduction in the use of fossil fuels. We’ll perform simple roles in a procession, carrying images and messages that will stream back from one of our large puppets. No experience needed; instructions provided on site. For more information about this event: www.moving-planet.org/events/us/minnesota-state-capitol/1277

Location: State Capitol front steps, Saint Paul

3. Recordings for Change: I willl be recording short films of local poets reading a poem and discussing change to be collected on a blog. If you are interested in more information about this, please message me directly. My email is on the sidebar.

Coldfront Video Review

2011-08-24T19:25:00.000-07:00

DJ Dolack put together a really lovely, rainy video review on Coldfront of the reading Ronaldo V. Wilson and I did this past May at The Poetry Project at St. Mark's Church. Thanks, DJ! Thanks, Coldfront!

Two June Events!

2011-05-28T11:20:00.000-07:00

In the wee hours of June 4/5th, I'm proud to be a part of Bedtime Stories during Nuit Blanche at the Walker Art Center's Open Field.

Also, You Must Not Name Everything: An Art Party takes place on June 18th. It will showcase new work by Jack Walsh and Pete Degan, along with many other wonderful fine art and craft vendors. Beginning at 7pm, there will be readings by me, John Colburn, Sarah Fox, Matt Mauch, Laura Pendell, and Dale Pendell!

Happy Spring!

Feeling Contemplative but Inarticulate, I Repost...

2011-05-02T18:33:00.000-07:00

These are the four requested songs played by the Current this morning after the announcement of bid Laden's death:

And here is Ken Chen's reflective and well-spoken Montevidayo post.

Catching Up

2011-03-11T14:25:00.000-08:00

First, I am reading tonight at the Banfill Locke Arts Center with the novelist Kevin Fenton. We'll start at 7:30. There'll be wine and snacks and I hope you will come.

Second, I made a website. It's here: http://www.paulacisewski.com/. It'll have readings and news and classes and one day in the near future, crafty little creations and vintage whatnots from my very own Etsy account. I am new at website organizing, so I am happy for feedback.

Third, I just picked up Matt Hart's WOLF FACE last night at the Pocket Lab Reading Series, where he and all the other poets were phenomenal. So psyched to dig into that book!!

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T08:56:00.000-08:00

Sloth

2010-12-05T10:59:00.000-08:00

I asked Meg Harris of Blue Moon Northeast for a poem that I could post, and she has kindly agreed. I am so glad to share her work, and this poem in particular, as it so nicely mirrors something about the undertone of the season...the scaffolding of slowness and observance during these long, dark months. Please enjoy.

Sloth

On day four the prompt was, "write a poem about an animal." I had the idea to write a double sestina about a sloth. I always felt bad for the sloth; a sin named after it. Or did they name the animal for the offense?

I thought I'd personalize the poem by tying in my reclusive tendencies, the clinical depression, my dormant ways. The sloth keeps an inconstant body temperature – almost reptilian. My normal body temp is 97.3 degrees.

The sloth’s known to maintain a grasp for some fifteen to twenty hours after death. I grind my teeth, even during afternoon naps – when shoved by a resolute drowse into a cavernous sleep.

The sloth is sedentary enough that a symbiotic alga grows in its fur. It is not a disinclination to work, I don't think. But that’s how Webster’s would couch sloth.

In the treetops – that’s where it all takes place – the sloth eats, sleeps, and gives birth while hanging from tree branches.

I'd even planned the end words for the sestina: sleep, bough, suspend, hermit, nocturnal and sloth. All month it’s made me feel out on a limb, this poem, sluggish, idle, like I wasn't getting things done.

There are days when stillness, like a death, is the place where I'm suspended, there, sometimes for hours, I hang.

Happy Birthday, Michael!

2010-11-20T10:26:00.001-08:00

Blue Moon Northeast

2010-11-05T08:06:00.000-07:00

Amazing Meg Harris has posted a review of Ghost Fargo and a little interview with me on her gorgeous blog. I am honored.

Shebeen Reading Series, Zandbroz Variety Store, Fargo

2010-10-23T15:39:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday

2010-09-27T11:08:00.000-07:00

Here is the first installment of Tourist Trap, NYC featuring lovely Julie Doxsee.

Bemidji!

2010-08-02T10:23:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to the full week's schedule for the Bemidji Book Festival, August 9th through the 14th. I am participating in a side event, a reading with fellow poets Erin Lynn Marsh and Jules Nyquist, on Friday, August 13th, at 5:00 PM, at the Wild Rose Theater. I am excited to revisit the town of my birth. If you are nearby, please come!

Some Photos From Upon Arrival's Book Launch, May 7th, 2010

2010-07-05T15:03:00.000-07:00

Judy O did amazing menhdi!

John Colburn prepared an incredibly warm and kind introduction.

The crowd was amazing and supportive.Jerry Belich, my very new theremin teacher, accompanied me for The Poor Choruses.

My favorite kid worked the book table!

Dobby Gibson's raffle ticket number won him the box of metaphors.

My henna tattoo (the next day).

GF Receives its First Review: Fun with Links

2010-06-09T10:37:00.000-07:00

Jordan Davis wrote a very generous review of Ghost Fargo for The Constant Critic.

(Also, it has been a month since the GF book launch, and I still plan to post photos. My camera's batteries died early, and I am amassing a better photo collection from friends.)

A Little Update & A Question About Who's Commenting

2010-05-17T12:18:00.000-07:00

The Little Update:
I love failbetter.com, and they kindly published two of my poems a few days back. It makes me so glad.

The Question About Who's Commenting:
Why am I getting so many bad comments and links to who knows what in my comments? Will you please stop? Will some real person tell me how to make that stop?

a KFAI visit and a book launch

2010-05-02T18:40:00.000-07:00

This Thursday, May 6th, I'll be a guest on KFAI's Write On! Radio, which airs btw 11am-12pm central time. I'll be reading from my new book and hoping to persuade all of you kind people to attend this launch party on Friday the 7th:

If you'll be at AWP...

2010-04-03T01:02:00.000-07:00

So many simultaneous things going on, and so many people I hope to see... Here are some places I will definitely be camping out if you'd like to stop by and say hello!

Thursday, April 8th
Catch me at the bookfair:
8:30-10:30 AM: the Black Ocean table with Allison Titus
12:00-1:30: the Nightboat Books table (official Ghost Fargo book signing from 12-1)

and come to a fantastic reading!

7:30 PM: Action Books, Litmus Press, and Nightboat Books poetry reading

Location: The Thin Man Tavern, 2015 E 17th Ave Denver (just a quick cab ride or take the 20 bus at 17th Street & Welton Street, get off at 17th Street & Race Street)
Featuring Paula Cisewski, Brenda Ijima, Sandy Florian, Lara Glenum, Johannes Göransson, Dawn Lundy Martin, Laura Moriarty, Abe Smith, Stacy Szymaszek, and Edwin Torres.

Saturday, April 10
2-3 PM the Nightboat Table

My Poorly Combined Words Pet Peeve, continued

2010-03-28T21:07:00.000-07:00

Oh, no. I thought "shrimptastic" or "webinar" won for worst, but it I see now I was waaay off.

Birds, LLC, y'all

2010-03-11T14:11:00.000-08:00

Here is Birds, LLC, a very attractive new press with titles you can pre-order from Elisa Gabbert and Chris Tonelli:

SPECIAL PRE-SALE OFFER: Buy the first two Birds, LLC releases for just $20. Pre-Sale offer lasts until March 31st. Books ship the first week in April.

About The French Exit:
It’s a pleasure to listen to the opinions of the narrator of The French Exit. Clear-eyed imagery and wit control the anxiety: “[A] boy at the counter disappears / or I can see through him.” Likewise, in a fine prose poem: “Do not be afraid of angering the birds. What angers the birds is fear.” The energy throughout Gabbert’s collection has the clip of the French exit itself – allons-y! – self-aware, self-sufficient, in control, in touch.
- Caroline Knox

About The Trees Around:
Full of the will and the weather, that great skeptic Wallace Stevens walked to work and wrote his poems, poems you may well already love and believe. (Good, as they say, for you.) And as for Chris Tonelli, he walks in that integrity: read him, and be merciful unto yourself. His foot standeth in an even place. This book’ll make you bloom.
- Graham Foust

The MaCaHu Blog! The Etsy Shop!

2010-02-04T13:28:00.000-08:00

MaCaHu Press has titles up on Etsy now. Pleeeease look at all the beautiful designs by artist Mary Behm-Steinberg. STUNNING!!!

An Upcoming Reading

2010-01-23T18:57:00.000-08:00

4th Annual SASE/Jerome Celebration!

Saturday, February 20th

7PM at Intermedia Arts
2822 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis

$5 Suggested Donation; No one turned away!

Everyone Welcome.

Featuring readings by 2009 SASE/Jerome winners Paula Cisewski, Scott Muskin, Ethan Rutherford, Sherrie L. Fernandez-Williams, Michelle Matthees, Heather Bouwman and Elisabeth Workman.

Happy 2010

2010-01-02T08:51:00.000-08:00

Start out your poetic New Year on January 7th at the newest Pocket Lab Reading Series!

Not since Schoolhouse Rock...

2009-12-18T07:55:00.000-08:00

Oh, I hope you like these super short grammar videos as much as I do!

Passive Pete:

A hyphen rap:

And my personal favorite: the combination of zombies and grammar:

Santa Claus Conquers the Martians & misc.

2009-12-06T10:25:00.000-08:00

I changed the layout of this page awhile back, and now I am sloooowly trying to recall how to reconfigure my sidebar content. A lot of people seem to have natural talent for this sort of thing, but me, not so much.
That is just to say there will be links to more of my most favorite artists and writers as time progresses. If you and I are pals and you want to send me a linky, that'd be great, too.

In the meantime, here's a document of my current media consumption...

Mary Ruefle's The Most of It is the most pleasurable read I've had in a long time.

And here is the song I cannot get enough of:

And here is the movie (in its condensed version, which may be enough for you) that I cannot wait to watch when it's delivered to my mailbox this week:

Happy Birthday, Michael

2009-11-20T12:49:00.001-08:00

slight change of pace this year:

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-29T14:02:00.000-07:00

Austerity Video

2009-10-11T19:47:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple videos by Jack made on our little Nikon Coolpix camera...

If you are in a completely sound-free room, you should be able to hear okay. Yikes! Thanks!

Won't you please consider attending this fine event

2009-09-17T13:16:00.000-07:00

The Story of Stuff

2009-09-04T09:29:00.001-07:00

Here's a very cool thing one of my students showed me. There's a good chance you've already seen it, but just in case:

Woops: A Time Capsule

2009-08-31T21:46:00.000-07:00

Two straight weeks of my Friday posting regimen and then nuthin'. That's sort of the way when I make sweeping pronouncements that only matter to me...
Last Friday I would have told you these same two things:

1. I am trying to create new work. Some of it prose. I am in that state where I have forgotten how to create new work, but I am wildly interested in the work of others. It's fun torture. Please wish me luck.

2. If you are sad to know the Imaginary Press Reading Series has run its course, please know there is a Pocket Lab Reading Series around. It's going to be good.

I Share this E-Mail in Case You Want in on the Discussion

2009-08-21T17:48:00.000-07:00

Dear Paula:

As someone who has previously contacted our office to share your thoughts on issues important to you, I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to participate in a live statewide healthcare tele-town hall meeting this Sunday, August 23 rd , at 7:00 PM. Along with people like you from across the state, I will be joined by Dr. Denis Cortese, CEO of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, and Mary Wakefield, the highest ranking nurse in the federal government. The three of us will discuss the need for health care reform, including ways to make the American health care system more affordable and more stable, and I will answer as many questions as I can from citizens from around the state.

If you would like to participate in this important discussion, the only way to guarantee your involvement is to visit our website at http://klobuchar.senate.gov. Once you’re registered, you’ll get an automated reminder phone call on Friday evening and you’ll be called again on Sunday to be joined to the call. The phone number you provide will be kept private.

If you have any questions, you can call the office toll free at 1-888-224-9043.

I look forward to hearing from you on Sunday.

Sincerely,

Amy Klobuchar
United States Senator

Swoon

2009-08-14T16:28:00.000-07:00

Two beauties, one you may have known about for a short while and one you may have known about for a longer while:

Farrah Field: Rising

Paul Auster: The Invention of Solitute

Three Months

2009-08-12T17:22:00.001-07:00

...is a long time to go post-less. I will begin updating on Fridays. I've got to believe I have at least that much going on. I've got to.

Here's a placeholder in the meantime:

Form & Content Reading, June 12

2009-05-15T08:31:00.000-07:00

Friday, June 12, 7 PM

Poems by
Paula Cisewski
Laressa Dickey
Sarah Fox
Rachel Moritz
Sun Yung Shin

Form and Content Gallery
210 N.2nd Street
Minneapolis

2 for 1 Black Ocean Fun!

2009-05-09T19:55:00.000-07:00

Black Ocean is having a Spring Cleaning Sale!

We here at Black Ocean are firm believers in the old Bible saying that goes: “make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.” So in keeping with our inward ravening and wicked ways we’re having a Spring Cleaning Sale!

Beginning at 12:00 AM on Monday (5/11), through 11:59 PM on Sunday (5/17), any purchase of one of With Deer by Aase Berg (trans. by Johannes Göransson) will get a FREE COPY of Upon Arrival by Paula Cisewski. Paula’s second book, Ghost Fargo, was just chosen by Franz Wright for the 2008 Nightboat Poetry Prize and we thought this would be a good opportunity for those of you unfamiliar with her work to get better acquainted. Also, if you haven't checked out With Deer yet, then you're simply missing out on the best nightmare you never had. Think of this sale as a way for us to pair the grotesque with the unusual, and stick them both in your beach bag for summer reading. It's worth mentioning that, as always,all our orders automatically come with free shipping!

Beginning the week of 5/18 we’ll be pairing Joshua Harmon’s fantastic debut collection, Scape, with Carrie Olivia Adams’ A Useless Window. Stay atuned to the sublime blogosphere for those details next weekend.

Reading this very Saturday!

2009-04-15T17:40:00.000-07:00

National Stripmall Month

2009-04-02T19:38:00.000-07:00

I don't know... I have this series of existing things running through my mind that will never need to have a month dedicated to them.

National Animated Sitcom Month

It's not very smart or clever, it's just ongoing as I go about my business during National Poetry Month. Can't help it.

National American Idol Month

Do you think anybody who doesn't write poetry actually reads more poetry in April and likes it from then on?

National Professional Athlete Month
National Hair Highlights Month

Maybe somebody does. That would be cool. In any case, I am trying the NaPoWriMo excercise again this time. It didn't work for me the only other time I tried because I tried to use somebody else's writing prompts. I felt like a disappointment when they didn't work for me.

National Action Hero Month

And I won't subject anybody to the drafts as they come; that seems too much pressure, but hopefully I'll have something to report by month's end.

Pleeeease Can You Help Me Find A Book?

2009-03-25T14:01:00.000-07:00

When I was a tot, a picture book I loved so dearly was The Witch Who Lived Next Door. I have looked high and low for a copy and cannot find this book anywhere. Have you seen it? Do you own it? If you run across a copy in a used bookstore, can you alert me immediately?

Two Museums

2009-03-19T22:12:00.000-07:00

I'm excited about my new chapbook, Two Museums, which is freshly out from MaCaHu Press. The cover design by Ms. Mary Behm-Steinberg is exquisitely creepy and perfect for the project. When I have some links I will put them right here, yes I will. MaCaHu has published some other lovely chaps and I'm proud to be on board.

Imaginary Press event coming right up!

2009-02-20T16:05:00.000-08:00

Please visit
the Imaginary Press Reading Series blog to see the exciting details about our March 8th event featuring poets Jen March and Jenny Browne! (Er, and me. I'm gonna read a few poems too this time.)

Come on out to support these poets' work!

Chloe the Sloth

2009-02-08T09:53:00.001-08:00

Here is Chloe, my new favorite neighbor; she lives in the "Tropical Experience" room at the Como Conservatory, which is in itself a good place to hang out in MN February.

Skirmish

2009-01-16T09:20:00.000-08:00

I haven't had much to say here lately. I found out you can play Scrabble on Facebook and now my online time is kind of shot...

BUT HERE IS ONE IMPORTANT THING:

If you are itching for a new book of poems, Skirmish by Dobby Gibson is what you're after.

Prop 8 - The Musical

2008-12-05T19:40:00.000-08:00

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Happy Day.

2008-11-27T08:56:00.000-08:00

What Would Jesus Buy? is the post-Thanksgiving feast movie to watch!

If you are a Netflix type, you can even do the "view instantly" deal.

Can One Scan Too Much?

2008-11-22T19:04:00.001-08:00

I just figured out how to use my scanner, and I've been organizing photos all weekend. Got a kick out of the ticket stubs that I keep finding between everything (these aren't nearly all of them).

In Poor Taste? Yet Perfect, Too? Yes.

2008-11-20T04:34:00.000-08:00

Baby Trumps Twine Ball

2008-11-07T18:12:00.000-08:00

A couple weekends ago, my pals K and A and I headed out to Darwin, MN, to see the largest ball of twine wound by one man. It's big. I don't feel I would have been any more impressed by the somewhat larger balls of twine that exist in a couple other cities around the midwest that were created as group efforts.
You do sort of think, however, that there'll be more to do around a ball of twine.

The following weekend, and politely during a visit by my brother and his friend, this new guy in our family showed up so we could all meet him.

And here is my favorite kid on the planet leaving the voting booths with his little red sticker in hand. Yes!!!!!!!!

Also, please check Imaginary Press Series updates

2008-10-24T11:12:00.000-07:00

I'm pulling my bookmarks out of Tomas Transtromer's The Half-Finished Heaven so I can return it to the library on time, which I don't really want to do. Here are some of my favorite bits:

Every person is a half-open door
leading to a room for everyone.

and:

Two truths approach each other. One comes from inside, the
other from outside,
and where they meet we have a chance to catch sight of ourselves.

The man who sees what's about to take place cries out wildly:
"Stop!"

and here's half of the poem Solitude:

Right here I was nearly killed one night in February.
My car slewed on the ice, sideways,
into the other lane. The oncoming cars--
their headlights--came nearer.

My name, my daughters, my job
slipped free and fell behind silently,
farther and farther back. I was anonymous,
like a schoolboy in a lot surrounded by enemies.

The approaching traffic had powerful lights.
They shone on me while I turned and turned
the wheel in a transparent fear that moved like eggwhite.
The seconds lengthened out--making more room--
they grew long as hospital buildings.

It felt as if you could just take it easy
and loaf a bit
before the smash came.

Then firm land appeared: a helping sandgrain
or a marvelous gust of wind. The car took hold
and fishtailed back across the road.
A signpost shot up, snapped off--a ringing sound--
tossed into the dark.

Came all quiet. I sat there in my seatbelt
and watched someone tramp through the blowing snow
to see what had become of me.

Sigh.

Two Quick Notes: Gondoliers for Obama and Imaginary Press

2008-10-17T07:13:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my pal Lorissa for this:

Hope to see you all at the Imaginary Press reading tonight at Diamonds!

One of these things is not like the others

2008-10-12T19:54:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I found these four chairs at the D.A.V. for thirty bucks! I reupholstered their seats and the seats of two others I had hanging around. It was all a huge thrill for me.

I spent a lot of Saturday afternoon walking around quiet places by myself.

I know I've seen something like this image on a book cover. Do you know what I am talking about?

But then I had to run an errand at Target. After all the hush, I was extra affronted by this Hummer Eau de Toilette. What could this possible smell like? Please don't answer.

Sunday P and I drove to Stillwater to hike around the fall colors with our friends.

I found this poem.

I updated the Imaginary Press site

2008-09-28T13:36:00.000-07:00

See?

Yay!

2008-09-25T13:25:00.000-07:00

The poet Kristin Naca is recently arrived to the Twin Cities. Check out this video where she discusses her forthcoming manuscript with Yusef Komunyakaa!

2008-09-14T20:38:00.000-07:00

Because my car is in the shop, this blog post is basically a little show and tell of the media I consumed this weekend at home.

I listened to All Rebel Rockers about 16 times:

I watched This movie, which I thought was really beautiful. And I watched this movie:

Simply because I can hardly wait to vote for Al Franken for senate.

I savored this book of poems:

And I adored this skit:

I did some other stuff, too: had a little family gathering, tried to make some art. Tried. Just for the record.

Daily

2008-09-05T11:12:00.000-07:00

August From Bedlam to Snuffy's

2008-09-01T10:42:00.000-07:00

First off, I have cheated. I just posted Bemidji and Bedlam photos, but I predated them August 3rd and August 21st so the blog would remain chronologically sound.

Secondly, here am I this weekend taking my chauffer duties very seriously as I shuttle the kiddos from maltshop to playground:

The kids became fascinated by the outdated technology called "cassette tapes" that Auntie Paula had all over the floor of her back seat. In this way, I was able to introduce them to selections from the Replacements, Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash. They also found about 28 cents. (That's my sister and niece in the car behind us.)

Small change and punk rock?? Weeeeeee!

Weekend Plans?

2008-08-29T10:21:00.000-07:00

Finally, be sure to go to and support Ripple Effect!

Post Bedlam

2008-08-21T10:29:00.000-07:00

I have taken some bad photos in my life, but my photos of the Bedlam Event deserve an anti-award. My flash setting was super slow or something, as was I, but:

Can you sort of see Beatrix JAR gearing up here?

Can you kind of imagine Julie Doxsee and her knives?

Can you work with me and see the fabulous Frances Gumm here? Furthermore, can you imagine the inimitable Laura Brandenburg performing a piece with them?

It's bad. Bad photography. But it was a good time! If you want to check
here, Julie's got some much better photos.

Please see below for why you might want to look to your right

2008-08-14T19:21:00.000-07:00

One day in the future I plan to update with Bemidji photos and other news from my small world.

Right now, I ask you to please note the new reading listed on the right sidebar, for Ms. Julie Doxsee is coming to town. Please join us at the Bedlam Theater at 9:30 on August 20th to celebrate her newest book, Undersleep, when Ms. Laura Brandenburg, Mr. Paul Dickinson and I will be joining Julie in reading. Not only that, but Frances Gumm and Beatrix Jar will play!

Bemidji

2008-08-03T09:53:00.000-07:00

My sister Patti and I drove up to Bemidji for a visit and a poetry reading.

Here is Erin, my fellow reader who organized the event, as a bunny, and Patti as a duck.

These photos are from the Beltrami County Fair. I forgot to take any poetry pictures.

This photo is from the chicken dressing competition. This girl crocheted that little outfit for her chicken. When I heard there'd be a chicken dressing competition, I was skeptical and a little apprehensive. What a relief to find out that it's just a bunch of kids who love their chickens so much. My other favorite was a boy who dressed as a fireman and had his chicken in a little yellow rain poncho. He placed third. Though I wanted him to win, I begrudgingly accepted the argument that his costume was perhaps doing more work than his chicken's.

This is my only photo from "Crazy Days." All the stores put a bunch of stuff on sale out on the sidewalk. The Ben Franklin has grab bags for five bucks.

Here are Paul and Babe and me doing my "I can't stand still for a picture" dance.

This is Lola. I love her.

Here are a couple random sculptures, which can be found all over town. This is my favorite:

And this one I find most puzzling.

I didn't get good photos of the dragon boat races or the tent dance or a few other activities. Also, when we were at places like the old house or old babysitter's farm, I was usually a little too distracted to remember proper documentation. But

Bemidji!

2008-07-16T17:15:00.000-07:00

According to the VISIT BEMIDJI website, Eastman Kodak recognizes these two guys as the most photographed landmarks in the U.S. It did not mention what is the first most. But who cares? I'm going to see these guys for the first time in I-don't-know-how-many decades on August first when I head up to Bemidji to read with Erin Lynn Marsh! (More info over on that sidebar to your right.)

I was born in Bemidji, and though we moved when I was seven years old, I have all sorts of formative memories. I expect the trip to be a lot of fun and to wig me the hell out at alternating invervals.

Luckily, I am traveling with my sister. We can wig out together, or support our separate wigging.

Music and a Movie for the Holiday

2008-07-04T12:08:00.001-07:00

Patriot Act -- Muja Messiah ft. I-Self Devine

Heavy Metal in Baghdad

Mini-Tour, part four

2008-07-02T19:27:00.000-07:00

Well, technically the joint tour is over at this point. Rauan's back to Chicago to head to St. Louis the next day, and I am back to Chicago to hang out for a couple days. My chronology may be off, but here are some highlights:

A and K and I went on a super touristy speedboat ride at Navy Pier called the Seadog Extreme!!! I thought it was going to be perhaps excruciating, but once we got past the no-wake area and the nineteen year old captain blasted Welcome to the Jungle, cranked the motor to 40 knots and started whipping shitties in Lake Michigan, well, everything was ridiculously all right to me. (I think they said 40 knots. I am just tossing that term around. Also, I do not know a less offensive term for spinning a vehicle around really fast. I am open to suggestion.)

One morning I went to the zoo with J and M. Oh man! I liked monkeys before, but now that I have spent time with the world's most serious monkey enthusiast, I LOVE them.

I forget what this guy is called. He's like a megabunny.

This is Solomon and Lucille. I feel I can use their real names and it won't threaten their blogger privacy.

Blondie was playing at the zoo that evening, but instead, Kate and I went to see House of Brunettes!

Here's the view from the bar at the top of the Hancock building. It was packed up there; we didn't stay.

I went through a couple emergency comfort moments. Luckily, we had decided to hit the Red Apple for dinner one evening so we could restore ourselves on some pierogi and sweet and sour cabbage. ...Okay, and some sausage. I am fairly nearly vegetarian in my day-to-day life, but I admit another name for our tour could have been the Carnivorous Pole Tour.

One day this woman will teach me to shop.

But in the mean time, I shop for geegaws and chachkis. There is nothing I require more than a trip through a junk shop when my mind is on overload. Something about sorting the endless detritus is so calming to me.

Pretty Chicago.

The end.

Mini Tour, Part Three

2008-06-30T18:56:00.000-07:00

Next, Rauan and I traveled to Cincinnati. Having completely romanticized this town for months, I was a little nervous on the ride down, but we kept ourselves busy by starting some collaborative poems.

Here Michael and Rauan dive right into the debate:

Here are Kristi and Amy setting up:

Michael, Amy, and Kristi were our gracious, generous hosts.

Here is some pre-reading kitchen chat:

Then the good gathering:

And our wonderful co-reader, Ruth Dickey:

I think I've posted enough photos of what Rauan and I look like reading. What I wish I could have captured were the lightning bugs which were by the hundreds lighting up all over the yard during the reading! It was only the second time I'd ever seen them!

We stayed up late!

To sum up, Cincinnati was even more glamorous than I had imagined. I cannot wait for another excuse to visit. Maybe even to stay more than 19 hours.

I guess the next post will be my last Mini Tour post. But my part of the readings are done and my mini-vacation started some time between the last two photographs above, so the remaining pictures will be miscellaneous puppy, skyscraper, and adorable toddler shots. Just sayin'.

Midwest Tour, Part Two

2008-06-29T22:23:00.001-07:00

Some Possible Tour Names:*

The Eagle or Crow Tour**
Do Not Sit on the Monument Tour
The No Spitting Tour
The Baby Bird Tour
So Loud It'll Wake the Dead! Tour
The Hare and Noodle Tour
The Dalai Lama Hoppin' Mad Goose Tour
The Three Million Candle Tour
The Cheese and Wind Tour***
The Puritan Doves Tour
Is The Score 0-0? Tour
The Second Cousins Tour

June 23rd: K, A, M, and I had some pre-reading tapas at People in Wicker Park before heading to:

Afterwards at Rodan:

Blurry guys. For some reason I refuse to use the flash on my camera.

*Now that a few days have passed, it's clear that some of these tour names may have only been funny in context of random tour sitings and on-bus discussions. We are probably open to suggestions.

**This is a highly flawed game we tried to perfect which involves deciding if a person is an eagle or a crow. I like it because the birds are such false opposites, like you might find on a professional development quiz you might take at work (Are you always upbeat or have you once been angry?) or a bloggy quiz that tells you what spice you are (Do you like jabanero peppers or chalk?) Rauan and I, by the way, are both crows, but we feel differently about being so.

***Wisconsin has a lot of cheese, and Chicago is windy...

Midwest Mini-Tour, Part One

2008-06-28T11:34:00.000-07:00

Rauan Klassnik and I joined forces for a few days to tour parts of the midwest in support of our Black Ocean books. It was great! I'll be posting about that week in pieces over the course of this week.
June 21st. Here is Rauan as we are about to reboard our first Megabus en route to Madison for our reading at Avol's Books.

Rauan peruses my new manny, Ghost Fargo.

June 22nd. Over coffee before our Avol's reading, I try to warm up to the idea of being in some of the trip photos too by including my shoe in this shot. Rauan looks collected, ready to knock 'em dead.

Rauan of Holy Land chats with Ron of Avol's.

Our first reading done!

Aside from the reading, checking out the neighborhood around the capitol building and the occassional bite to eat, Rauan spent most of his time in his room watching Animal Cops, and because we don't have cable at home, I glutted on light-ish movies, the best of which was Bend it Like Beckham. I watched this just in time to get excited about the Spain/Italy and Spain/Russia matches. Between the movie and some explanations from Rauan who is a big soccer fan, I am pretty much a soccer expert now (says the girl who can't figure out which team is which when they switch uniform colors...).

Tomorrow I'll post about the first parts of Chicago and some of our possible tour titles...

Talking Image Connection at the Soap Factory...

2008-06-15T22:33:00.000-07:00

...was so fun!

June 14th Ekphrastic Bonanza

2008-06-12T18:19:00.000-07:00

Writers Alison Morse, Tammy Wenberg and I and musicians Peter Schimke and Bill Mike have all been collaborating in response to a collaborative art installation at the Soap Factory Gallery, and we're going to present our work on Saturday at 8:00. I'm really excited about it. Please come.

Ms. Asylum to you

2008-06-05T20:10:00.000-07:00

Oh it's storming, and I kept rereading the same damn paragraph in my John D'Agata book. Behold the fruits of all my poor wittle brain could handle this evening.

You Are Punk Music

You've thought long and hard about what mainstream society has to offer...

And you've pretty much decided that most normal things aren't for you.

You're creative, expressive, and likely to do things yourself.

You are a rebel and a fighter. You'll defend your point of view to anyone.

What Kind of Music Are You?

You Are a Question Mark

You seek knowledge and insight in every form possible. You love learning.

And while you know a lot, you don't act like a know it all. You're open to learning you're wrong.

You ask a lot of questions, collect a lot of data, and always dig deep to find out more.

You're naturally curious and inquisitive. You jump to ask a question when the opportunity arises.

Your friends see you as interesting, insightful, and thought provoking.

(But they're not always up for the intense inquisitions that you love!)

You excel in: Higher education

You get along best with: The Comma

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

Your Goth Name is:

Amethyst Asylum

What's Your Goth Name?

You Are Ginger

Like ginger, you are a total shape shifter.

You can be sweet, spicy, mellow, or overpowering.

You are both soothing and unique. You are popular... yet you are often overlooked.

What Spice Are You?

Hey!

2008-05-23T09:32:00.000-07:00

There's a moving sale going on over at Coffee House Press! Everything's half off until the end of June!!!!

Not a record

2008-05-21T20:04:00.001-07:00

This is not the most pens I have ever come home after work to find stuffed in my hair, but I like how this photo makes it seem like Johnny Cash is participating in my updo.

Happy!

2008-05-17T19:49:00.000-07:00

Meg Rains sent this:

I am a slightly better player than this cat. To be fair, though, my theremin is a Moog Etherwave, so I have a technical advantage... The video proves that the cat has one more fan than I do, too.

Imaginary Press Reading Series Tonight!!

2008-05-16T08:49:00.000-07:00

And it is going to be an outstanding installment: Cynthia Arrieu-King, Kristi Maxwell, Michael Rerick, and Jon Skuldt!

Hope to see you there.

Art Crawl

2008-04-24T08:24:00.000-07:00

It's time for the spring St. Paul Art Crawl. I'll be tramping around Friday, and I'll also be participating Sunday at 3:00 in the Carleton Lofts Dance Room (University Avenue a little way down from Raymond Avenue). Hope you'll come.

Here's the Carleton's complete Sunday line-up:

Sunday April 27th

12:00 PM to 1:00 PM--Joe Schauer (Bass Solo) in the Center Stair Gallery

1:00 PM to 2:00 PM--Inner Alchemy Harpistry (Harp Solo) in the Center Stair Gallery

12:00 PM to 2:00 PM--DJ Array: Playlists and Music from Twin Cities Musicians and Bands in the Community Room
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM--Piper Reva Jones-Kelley in the Community Room

3:00 PM to 4:00 PM--DJ Array: Playlists and Music from Twin Cities Musicians and Bands in the Community Room

3:00 PM to 5:00 PM--Poetry Readings: Jared Lewis, Paula Cisewski, Tammy L. Darrah Wenberg, Alison Morse, & Michael Sciortino in the Dance Studio

4:00 PM to 5:00 PM--Western Fifth (Band) in the Community Room.

Brunettes Not Fighter Jets

2008-04-05T17:17:00.000-07:00

It's this week's show and tell!

Here is a photo of Frank and Paul, my fellow readers at last Sunday's Riot Act Reading Series:

Paul Dickinson on the right there is also one of the hosts. I'll prove it:

On an unrelated note, I wanted to share that I recently had reason to learn that this is my only set of guest sheets:

Similarly unrelated, I went hiking in the woods in Wisconsin this afternoon! My fellow travellers and I hoofed it in to see the Willow River waterfall, and it was spectacular. But I forgot my camera, so here's a photo of my muddy boots:

Second to lastly, because I don't have the cable t.v., I am frequently wont to discover gems at a different pace than many others. For example, I didn't know about Flight of the Conchords until my latest issue of Bust arrived. Now I love them so much. Here is a little taste that you have probably already seen:

6. This week's score from the branch library: A VHS called The World's Weirdest Homes. Yessss!

Is this thing on?

2008-03-27T08:32:00.000-07:00

Oh, dear. I'm sure I have bored what two readers I ever had enough that you might never return to see if I update every month now or what.

There hasn't been much to report. It's been winter here forever. Or "Gee, I'm really swamped at work." Buzz, buzz...

BUT yesterday was warm and sunny enough to go for a stroll, and so I did one of my favorite warm weather activities: I hit up my teeny branch library for whatever gems might be hiding there. So:

Did you know that David Lynch wrote a book on meditation and consciousness???

AND

Did you know there exists a 1986 rock documentary called Heavy Metal Parking Lot???

Oh man, I can't wait. I sort of feel myself changing into a different person just in anticipation of these two pieces of media.

Something New...

2008-03-07T13:29:00.000-08:00

Or Else What Asked the Flame, a collaboration between Mathias Svalina and me, is freshly available as a downloadable E-Chap through Scantily Clad Press. Thank you, Mr. Andrew Lundwall.

Vague Pronoun Intentional

2008-02-22T13:27:00.000-08:00

Here's a painting by my friend, the Duluth painter Jack Walsh. I feel exactly like this image today. I don't know how or why, but I think it's good and bad to feel this way. That's why I like it so much.

I'm not even going to ask Jack what the title of it is. I think we should make one up. Any ideas?

AWP NY

2008-02-03T15:51:00.000-08:00

Allison Titus and Joshua Poteat hold down the Black Ocean table.

This machine broke a few hearts and fulfilled a few dreams. Mostly the dream was gumballs, but a couple folks got a free Black Ocean book. Nobody really died.

Facing camera left to right: Janaka Stucky, Paige Ackerson-Kiely, DJ Dolack
In mirror left to right: Allison Titus, Heather Overby, me, Joshua Poteat

Rauan Klassnik and Janaka Stucky are thrilled about Holy Land. Me, too.

On our way to the Steal This Reading reading

Susan McCarty at the "Steal This Reading" afterparty.

on our way to the Starcherone reading at KGB bar

I saw Charles Simic and James Tate and John Ashbery and Russell Edson all sitting at the same table, and then I got to participate in a standing ovation for Russell Edson. It was, to say the least, one of my top three favorite standing ovations of all time.

I went to panels. I heard Li-Young Lee and the Copper Canyon poets readings on site and the Steal this Reading poets and the Starcherone authors at a couple Brooklyn sites. I saw scads of old friends and some folks I'm more recently fond of.

Plus I scored:
Go Home and Go to Bed! Mary Ruefle's new comic from Pilot
Realm Sixty-Four Kristi Maxwell
Holy Land Rauan Klassnik
Quinnehtukqut Joshua Harmon
The Battlefield Where the Moon Says I Love You Frank Stanford
The Little Book of Guesses John Gallaher
My Soviet Union Michael Dumanis
American Music Chris Martin (Actually, I bought this a couple weeks back at Elliot Bay Book Co in Seattle, but it's awesome and I'da bought it at AWP if I hadn't)

I left for my 4:30 AM airport shuttle exhausted, overwhelmed and completely (slap)happy.

Three Weeks!

2008-01-25T09:19:00.000-08:00

That's a long time to go between entries. What have I been doing?

1. I had a birthday. Here:

is the birthday paella that I shared with some friends.

2. P and I went to this exhibit.

3. We missed this Frida Kahlo exhibit, so we saw

4. Juno instead. And, I don't know what everybody was talking about it being so cute; I mean, it was of course, but it also fundamentally messed me up for the rest of the night. On top of which mess I was in, I also had to worry about this: if I am the only one I know of who was fundamentally messed up by it, does that mean that on the great depth continuum of films...wherein someone like Herzog or a harrowing documentarian are on one end, and, say, the American Pie genre is on the other, am I only Fox Searchlights deep?
It doesn't matter. And I'm not. But I put myself through the ringer about it for a good chunk of a night.

5. Decided I couldn't live without this CD anymore. Here's a little clip:

6. Took A:

to Seattle:

to visit friends:

and look at food:

since he's considering chef-hood. It was a fantastic trip. Short yet fantastic. We were power tourists. Experience Music Project, Sci-Fi Museum, Aquarium, Pike Street Market, Space Needle, and so on. We did it.

Thus concludes the highlights of my show and tell post...

Muddy Farm -- Singular

2008-01-04T18:32:00.000-08:00

I have only one friend who farms. Luckily, that friend is ALSO a writer. Even luckier, he's begun blogging all about setting up his new farm here.

I don't know anything about farming, so I plan to abuse his comments box with all sorts of questions and see if he will humor me.

So Very Handsome!

2007-12-27T16:57:00.000-08:00

The first issue contains work by:

Lily Brown, Sommer Browning, Paula Cisewski, Adam Clay, John Colburn, Jeff Downey, Julie Doxsee, Sarah Fox, Kate Greenstreet, Sarah Goldstein, Joshua Harmon, Annaliese Jakimides, Rauan Klassnik, Gabriella Klein Lindsey, Greg Koehler, Marcia LeBeau, Michael Macklin, Adam Peterson, Joshua Poteat, Mary Ruefle, Tomaz Salamun, Marisa Siegel, Brandon Shimoda, Peter Jay Shippy, Mathias Svalina, Jocko Weyland, Joshua Marie Wilkinson, Barbara Yien and Jake Adam York

You can get your very own copy here.

I have been tagged, I shall tag

2007-12-23T08:47:00.000-08:00

Kate Harding has been so kind as to tag me in a roar for powerful words meme. Also, she was so kind as to say some words that leave me blushing with thanks.

The rules as I understand them are as follows: Say 3 things that you think make for strong writing and then tag five more folks.

I am thrilled to participate -- it feels like getting asked to the prom. I will have no problem tagging five writers (except in limiting myself to 5), but I've been thinking since yesterday about how to verbalize what I think makes for powerful writing. I'll do my best.

It's good to need to think about, though. These last months have been active. Writing and thinking about writing have been put on hold to the point where I'm just plain pissed off. Perhaps I can use this as a step back in.

Here goes:

Figure out who you are. Write stuff you'd never show anybody. Talk to yourself. Develop echolalia. Travel. Burn the musty journals that the old you wrote. Find your comfort zone and overstep it.

Get over yourself. Yes, our stories are particular and important, but if you approach something as though it is beyond precious and you are the only one in the world who's ever had such a deep experience, nobody's going to believe you, and nobody's going to want in. Because it's not true that you are the only one who's had such a deep experience. Nearly everybody feels un-understandable like that. That's why good writing works.

Crap. I only have two.

Here's who I tag:

1. Kate Greenstreet
2. David Dodd Lee
3. John Gallaher
4. Kristi Maxwell
5. Matt Hart

The work of all five of these folks astounds me, and they will no doubt have wise and helpful insights to this discussion.

Eureka!

2007-12-01T14:35:00.000-08:00

Detachment from the past, which we characterized as the main feature of the post-Christian era, culminates in one way or another with detachment from the earth –“this earth…these oaks,” to recall Vico’s words about the giants who established the first human dwellings. For reasons that remain altogether obscure, Western civilization has decided to promote institutions of dislocation in every dimension of social and cultural existence. The international hegemony of these institutions – metropolis, economy, media, ideology -- has led to an aggravated confusion about what it means to dwell on the earth. This confusion, in turn, veils itself in oblivion. If the “end of history” means anything at all, it means that we now dwell in oblivion – in oblivion of the meaning of dwelling. To some extent this oblivion is only natural, for dwelling does not preserve its meaning by making an explicit issue of itself; it embeds itself in habit, ritual and repetition; but when its meaning has disintegrated or lost its basis, that is to say when it has suffered fundamental traumas, then oblivion becomes a force of destruction rather than of preservation.

--Robert Pogue Harrison, from Forests: the Shadow of Civilization

This is exactly what my new manuscript is about. And now I know that.

I wish my digital camera worked still. I'd like to post a photo of the view from my desk window: Three snow-covered rooftops, and more snow falling. Some treetops and one giant old tree. Occassional flight of the hawk who lives in that tree, and of her new mate. Dusk.

I feel like I know more about dwelling when it snows.

Happy Birthday, Michael

2007-11-20T21:34:00.000-08:00

A bit late in the day, but this is my first opportunity after work to post my annual outlaw rock anthem. Enjoy.

Update

2007-11-03T14:26:00.000-07:00

The Imaginary Press Reading Series blog has been updated with all the latest info about November 16th's star-studded line-up!

Mini-Vacations

2007-11-03T14:04:00.000-07:00

In case I have given the impression that dusting is my only joy in life, I feel a need to report that I saw these guys:

And these guys:

In the last couple weeks. Yay

STRIKE!!

2007-10-25T20:26:00.000-07:00

Coconut 10 has cracked open, revealing tasty new poems by Norma Cole, Carla Harryman, Ange Mlinko, Emily Kendal Frey, Ben Mirov, Caroline Crumpacker, Chad Sweeney, Donna Stonecipher, Lily Brown, Andrea Rexilius, Srikanth Reddy, Erica Anzalone, Ann Stephenson, Carley Moore, Daniel Nester, Paula Cisewski, Paul Siegell, Kristy Bowen, Ben Doller, Dorine Preston, and Morgan Lucas Schuldt. Come see! Coconut 10! Plus, check out the grand opening of COCONUT BOOKS, starring Reb Livingston's YOUR TEN FAVORITE WORDS!!!
Coconut Books!

Don't let my glamorous lifestyle astound....

2007-10-21T18:13:00.000-07:00

I have been working too much to be very interesting in the world of blogs.

The two best parts of my Saturday/Sunday were:

1. Loving Blake's Songs of Innocence and Experience and staying in it for hours, and

(please wait...there are miles of space between one and two)

2. Learning from a ladies' magazine while waiting for A at the chiropractor that used dryer sheets make excellent dust catchers. Today, between laundry loads, I tried them on the corners of all my wood floors and, wow.

That's right. Dryer sheet experiments comprised a hefty percentage of my weekend fun.

A kind word costs nothing...

2007-09-30T12:24:00.000-07:00

The Surrealist Compliment Generator

Still (fiberglass) Life with Greenstreets

2007-09-25T09:30:00.000-07:00

O man. omanomanoman. Too good. Too happy. No words.

Lord Buckley Tribute Returns!!

2007-09-23T12:30:00.000-07:00

Sunday September 30, Davis Wilson's “Lord Buckley Runs Wild” + Dean Granros Trio (8:00 p.m, $6).
Davis Wilson, the dapper & hip greeter at the door of the AQ, channels his inner Buckley for this second edition of the live rant. Lord Buckley came to cult prominence in the 1950s with an underground elocution revolution. His elegantly proper manner only accentuated his Love & Mercy philosophical bent, laying down beatnik speechification to the sounds of jazz. Davis Wilson, who has achieved his own underground fame in the basement of the Historic Hamm Building, is a spot-on preserver of the Buckley tradition. Lords and Ladies, you’ll be pleased and flipped to witness the Wilson enchantment, accompanied by musical sorcerers The Dean Granros Trio.

All you lords and ladies, hep cats and cool kitties will be "pleased and flipped" that you made the scene

First Book Interview #103

2007-09-13T11:13:00.000-07:00

Kate Greenstreet has interviewed Sarah Fox about Because Why.

Eighteen! Eighteen! Eighteen! Eighteen!

2007-09-09T06:56:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday, A!

Sharkforum this week

2007-09-04T13:09:00.000-07:00

I would like to thank the very wonderful poetSimone Muench for featuring some work of mine in her poem of the week series at Sharkforum.

The Imaginary, The Thamesmen, The Unicyclists

2007-09-02T16:14:00.001-07:00

Before anything else, allow me to direct your attention to the Imaginary Press update.

I've been down with flu this weekend, and it's made me grateful for small favors. I would like to express gratitude for whomever scheduled This is Spinal Tap on prime time tv last night when I had energy for nothing else. Also, I'd like to thank the gaggle of unicyclists (is four a gaggle? I'm not trying to exaggerate) riding down my street as I dragged my sorry self back home from the market with my ginger tea this afternoon. It was a surprise.

Reading tonight!

2007-08-24T12:42:00.000-07:00

Juliet Patterson and I will be joining William Stobb for a reading at Magers and Quinn Booksellers in celebration of Bill's brand new book, Nervous Systems!

Here's a little taste of what I think the evening might be like:

(See sidebar for all sorts of details)

I slipped....

2007-08-19T12:49:00.000-07:00

...and smoked an entire pack of cigarettes all by myself yesterday. I started early and really put some effort into it. It was revolting. And glorious.

And today I am hoping that one of these cups of green tea will indeed help me feel less like an ashtray on legs.

Best verbal exchange of the week

2007-08-15T07:47:00.000-07:00

Me (to class): Do you all know what "pedagogy" means?
Student: Is it a kind of cheese?

It sounds exactly like a kind of cheese. I would like some pedagogy, crusty bread, and a full bodied red, please.

(And, yes, the student was making a joke.)

My Addiction to Withdrawal

2007-08-08T17:22:00.000-07:00

Do you know what are stupid?
Cigarettes.
Do you know what's more stupid?
Me three days off cigarettes.

There are five ways to fix a run-on sentence:

RUN-ON EXAMPLE: Cigarettes are expensive and unhealthy they seem worth it right now.

1. Make it two sentences:
Cigarettes are expensive and unhealthy. They seem worth it right now.

2. Use a semicolon:
Cigarettes are expensive and unhealthy; they seem worth it right now.

3. Use a semicolon, a conjunctive adverb or transitional phrase, and a comma:
Cigarettes are expensive and unhealthy; however, they seem worth it right now.

4. Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction:
Cigarettes are expensive and unhealthy, but they seem worth it right now.

5. Use a subordinating conjunction:
Although cigarettes are expensive and unhealthy, they seem worth it right now.

I don't even smoke that much, people. I just obsess when feel denied, or when I can feel myself "healing" and "getting healthy". It's totally distracting.

I took a friend up on a MySpace invitation. Another friend suggested yoga.

So I'm all manic back and forth between MySpace and countless sun salutations. These are my current substitutions. It's ridiculous.